Sunshine Days: Why a heatwave sends nearly a third of UK workers home early

Sunny days in the UK can be few and far between, so when the sun beams down, even on a work day, it is hard to resist the temptation to hit the beach, park, local beer garden, or even rest.

Interestingly, 31% of workers in the UK admit to clocking off early during heatwaves. The trend extends beyond wanting a frosty beer in the sunshine; it reflects the shift in wellbeing culture, where people prioritise enjoying the little things and expect their employers to meet them halfway.

As we know, the UK doesn’t get too many sunny days, so when we get some rays - particularly in spring and summer - everyone wants to make the most of it. Generally, our workplaces are not built for warm weather, so it is reasonable to want to escape a stuffy office or reclaim some work-life balance.

The call of the sun

Many people became accustomed to the flexibility of working from home during the COVID-19 pandemic. Employees are becoming increasingly aware that life is more than work and that they can effectively integrate their personal and professional lives. People are constantly reassessing how they want to work and live, as well as what they are prepared to sacrifice for their jobs.

What does it say about workplace culture?

Although some may feel that a third of employees cutting out early is a problem, it’s really a reflection of what matters to people. As this figure represents the staff who do leave early, you can imagine the number who want to but don’t. Business leaders would be discouraged from seeing this as a lack of commitment but rather as an invitation to adapt or compromise. This could be an opportunity to reward staff, getting on the front foot and calling a ‘Sunshine Day’, offering your team a few hours off to enjoy it, or even the chance to organise some outdoor team-building activities.

Hybrid and remote working, as well as leaving early on a Friday, have become a far more standard offering and are no longer seen as a ‘perk’. For employers to ignore this would be a mistake, as it risks disengaging their team, which often leads to resentment and, ultimately, turnover.

Of course, it is not all one-sided. Flexibility and perks, such as sunshine days, build trust with your team and help them feel productive and loyal. They appreciate that their own needs and those of their families are taken into consideration. A survey conducted by Robert Half found that 73% of employees reported being more productive in a flexible hybrid work setup. With greater trust, loyalty and productivity, does it really matter if someone takes an hour or two off to enjoy a sunshine day?

Health impact of heatwaves

As we mentioned earlier, our workplaces don’t fare so well in the heat, and neither do we. There is an occupational health and safety aspect to the case for sunshine days, which shows that they could be absolutely necessary during the peak of summer.

A poorly ventilated workplace, those working manual jobs outdoors, or ineffective cooling pose a significant risk of heatstroke; your team members may be better off working from home if possible.

Allowing people to work in the cooler hours of the day could be considered a duty of care. If among your staff are people who fast as part of their culture, like during Ramadan, spare a thought for those who cannot eat or drink during daylight hours in the middle of a British summer.

A nudge toward sunshine days

The statistics outlined here should provide some food for thought and allow managers to reevaluate their hot-weather working policies. Considering hours, location, work, and even workplace dress code could be worthwhile considerations.

If one-third of your workplace is tempted to go ‘tools down’ when the weather gets a bit much, it’s a sign that they need a bit of flexibility on a hot day. With the ever-growing focus on work-life balance, a simple gesture like letting people take a break from the heat or enjoy the sunshine could be a great call.